The FBI was alerted after a large quantity of cell phones was purchased at a third mid-Missouri Walmart in the last week.

Early Saturday morning two “foreign speaking” men set off alarms after they entered the local Walmart store in Lebanon, Missouri and purchased 60 cellphones. The purchase was made around 4 AM in the morning. Police were called but released the men saying they didn’t have a legal reason to detain them.

The Macon County Sheriff’s office is investigating a second suspicious purchase of dozens of cellphones at the Columbia Walmart on Conley Road.

Federal officials are concerned about a large quantity of cell phones purchased in three different Missouri cities in less than a week. Police have investigated the purchase of large quantities of cell phones at Walmart stores in Columbia, Lebanon and Macon. In two cases, the FBI was contacted.

Law enforcement agencies report cellphones are potential tools in the hands of terrorists. The devices can be used to communicate and they’re difficult to trace if they’re prepaid phones; they can also be used as detonators for bombs.

KMIZ-TV reports that several men bought dozens of phones at a Columbia Walmart late last week, and paid in cash. Police just reported the purchases Monday.

The Macon County Sheriff’s Office said it is investigating a similar report on Wednesday at a Macon Walmart:

The Macon County Sheriff's Office in coordination with the Macon Police Department is investigating the recent…

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